Chapter 11

Hey, how did it go?” Misty asks as I approach the canteen acting, as if nothing has ever happened between us. Even though I still feel reluctant to trust Misty, I cannot deny how good it feels to see a familiar face. If this morning’s class is anything to go by, I need all the friends I can get. I pull a face.
“That bad?” She laughs as we queue for lunch. She has no idea. Her brother seriously does not like me.
I choose a burger and fries while Misty opts for a salad. After my recent activities I’m rather hungry. We sit at an empty table chatting about my time in the gym. Misty makes me feel better.
“My first time with the jump rope, I made it to the top, but I refused to get back down; heights are not my strong point.”
“Chris left her up there for about half an hour before he decided to climb up for her.” A young man laughs as he joins us. On closer inspection the man is James.
“This is my brother, James. James this is Kayla,” Misty introduces us with a wave of her hand.
“We have already met.” James smiles fixing his baby blue eyes on me. “How have you found the school so far?” he asks while digging into his meal.
“It’s been OK, I guess,” I say, shrugging as I take a sip of water.
“She had an accident with Sarah and her groupies this morning.” Misty begins to tell James all about the accident with the gooey stuff. Misty makes it sound a lot funnier than it was at the time. By the time she is done all three of us are laughing uncontrollably.
The air starts to change slowly. The static energy returns. I push the feeling away.
“They looked like giant bogies.” Misty grins and we all crack up laughing again. A tray hits the table across from us with a bang.
Chris gives us all an annoyed look. His eyes linger on me. I sigh.
What is his problem?
I return to my lunch. James is a lot different to what I had first thought. But then again, the day I met him there was just too much going through my mind.
“What’s so funny?” Chris asks in a board tone. Misty grabs a chip of James’s plate which results in James prodding her in the side. I cannot help smiling as I watch them fooling around together. It must be nice having siblings. Someone to act around with or tell your secrets too, not that I have any secrets, before the incident at the mall my life was boring. Now I cannot tell if I have gone completely insane or if I am just dreaming.
The thought of demons and magic existing is way too much. I still refuse to believe.
“Nothing, you had to be there,” Misty says as we watch the lead girl who I accidental covered in green substance, who I now know is called Sarah and her two minions’ approach, hatred clearly in her eyes. She stops before Chris, and she looks at me with a look that could kill. She then puts a fake charming smile on and directs her attention on Chris.
“So, Chris, is there something you need to ask me about the dance next Friday.” She twirls the ends of her hair and flutters her eyelashes at him. James makes the sign of the cross and Misty pretends to wither. They both suddenly stop and pick up their drinks at the same time, as Chris gives them both a look of disdain.
“You can pick me up at seven,” Sarah purrs, stroking his arm and not waiting for a reply. She spins on her heels and skips through the canteen, her hips swaying seductively.
She must be his girlfriend. At least I know why Misty did not tell him what happened with the goo earlier but had no problem sharing the story with James.
My heart drops. I push the strange feelings away. “If you were planning on taking someone else, you’re out of luck bro.” James smiles with a twinkle in his eyes. Annoyance flashes over his face.
“What did the mega bitch want?” a younger boy asks as he takes a seat next to Chris. He looks like a younger version of James.
“Chris,” James replies.
“I feel sorry for you, man. Did you hear what some new girl did to her in potions? People are calling her snot face.” Misty spits her drink out, snorting and choking between giggles.
“That girl is sitting with us Rory. Kayla, meet Rory, our youngest brother,” she introduces us through her giggles. The embarrassment I felt earlier in class, soon returns.
“Nice one,” Rory beams. I get the impression that the only person who likes Sarah at the table is Chris. He stands up abruptly and marches out of the canteen, taking the static energy with him.
“What did I say?” Rory asks amused at his brother’s sudden departure. James shrugs his eyes, reflect worry for a second.
We chat for the remaining lunch period. They are so carefree, sharing stories about their childhood, or laughing about something they have seen.